Entry 5: In Which We Are Not Blown Up By Ignignokt and Err

Massive delays on the T this morning; bridges, freeways, and even the river shut down; and for what? A viral advertising campaign by Turner Broadcasting.

Here is a link to the news story. As Deval Patrick comments, it's really not funny.

Here is the statement from Turner Broadcasting admitting that they were behind it all.

They say they regret that the devices were "mistakenly thought to pose any danger", and I imagine they are sincere about regretting it. But my question is this: what did they expect people would think when they looked up and saw a circuitboard with blinky lights on the girder of a major freeway? What would your first thought be if you saw that? Would you think that it "posed any danger"? Or would you think, hey, I want to get a closer look at that thing way up there, 'cause it might be a clever marketing ploy to make me aware of some T.V. show?

News reporters keep saying that in this day and age especially, our first thought goes to terrorism. I would argue in this case that even before 9-11, most of us would be alarmed by seeing a device with blinking lights stuck up under a bridge. And I cannot understand how anyone thought that this was a good idea.

Is it true that even bad publicity is good publicity? Will Turner Broadcasting benefit from this media exposure? Was that what they were thinking when they started this?